September 15, 2011
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has encouraged Gippslanders to extend the spirit of R U OK? Day, throughout the rest of the year.
R U OK? Day – a national day of action to prevent suicide was held today, with Australians encouraged to ask those that they care about, are you ok?
Mr Chester recently told Federal Parliament that despite more than 2000 Australians taking their own life each year, suicide was not an issue that was spoken about enough within the community.
“I am concerned that suicide is an issue that we rarely talk about. Despite an increase in funding over the past decade it still receives less mainstream public policy attention than issues like road safety and even sun protection,” Mr Chester said.
“We have a very long way to go, and we need to challenge the taboo in raising this topic for a broader national conversation.
“One of our greatest challenges is to reduce or remove the stigma about suicide and to talk about it in a responsible and rational manner. I believe we need this national conversation because staying silent simply has not worked.”
Mr Chester has called on the government to fund a national suicide prevention and awareness campaign. The proposed campaign was one of the key recommendations in Parliamentary report into early intervention programs aimed at preventing youth suicide.
“Such a campaign should target the at-risk groups but should also apply at a more universal level to help build resilience, to help an entire community understand what the risk factors may be and, perhaps, to drive the national conversation about this topic,” Mr Chester said.
“I am sure that it is confronting for people, but I think we need to do it, and the media is an important tool at our disposal for raising awareness and assisting our community.”
Mr Chester also recently moved a motion at The Nationals Federal Council which recognised the need to tackle the high-rate of suicide amongst young people in regional areas.
“For young people aged 15 to 24 suicide is the number one cause of death. Young males in particular in regional areas are one of the highest risk categories for premature death from suicide,” he said.
“If we see a young person in our community who is struggling as a result of family breakdown, or abusing drugs and alcohol, or clearly suffering from some mental health issues, we need to be prepared to offer some level of support and be able to intervene.
“I think we need to get the most out of every service that we already have and avoid duplication and confusion on the ground.
“We can save lives if we pass on the skills to our families and friends, and to teachers, youth workers, sports coaches, health professionals and law enforcement officers.”
For further information on R U OK? Day log on to HUwww.ruokday.com.auU
Anyone in need of assistance can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.